Several families seek refuge on beaches and streets following Israel’s bombings in Beirut

Smoke continued to rise from the southern suburbs of Beirut on Saturday morning following a night of chaos as families scrambled to escape Israel’s intense bombardment. The night had been filled with terrifying explosions, with many families unable to find space in already overflowing shelters in schools. As dawn broke, hundreds of families were left sleeping in public squares, on beaches, or in their cars around Beirut. People could be seen trekking up the mountains surrounding the Lebanese capital, carrying infants and whatever few possessions they could manage.

Overnight, Israel launched a series of strikes targeting various parts of Dahiyeh, the predominantly Shiite suburbs on the southern outskirts of Beirut where tens of thousands of residents reside. These strikes, the most severe to hit Beirut in nearly a year of conflict, resulted in the tragic death of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. This assault marked a rapid escalation of Israeli strikes over the past week, claiming the lives of over 700 people in Lebanon. Israel’s objective is to cripple Hezbollah and put an end to the group’s constant attacks on Israeli territory.

The sudden displacement of families on Friday added to the overwhelming numbers of refugees already seeking safety in Beirut. Individuals escaping the previous night’s violence joined the tens of thousands who had fled to Beirut and other areas in southern Lebanon in the past week to evade the ongoing bombardment by Israel. For many residents of Dahiyeh, this forced evacuation brought back memories of the devastating 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, which left large parts of the Beirut suburbs in ruins.

One displaced individual, Fatima Chahine, a Syrian refugee, along with her family, sought refuge on the public beaches of Ramlet al-Bayda in Beirut after narrowly escaping the bombings the night before. The Syrian family had fled the war in Syria in 2011 to protect their children, only to find themselves facing a similar situation in Lebanon now. The government has opened schools in Beirut to shelter the displaced, but some sites prioritize Lebanese nationals, leaving Syrians like Chahine searching for safe havens elsewhere.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported a drastic increase in the number of displaced individuals in Lebanon due to the recent escalation of violence. Over 211,000 people have been displaced, with approximately 85,000 seeking shelter. However, many of these displaced individuals have expressed that they have not yet received aid from humanitarian organizations. Despite the lack of assistance, communities are banding together to support one another during these trying times.

Despite their current dire circumstances, some displaced individuals remain resilient and unwavering in their commitment to endure. Jamal Hussein, who fled Dahiyeh with his extended family in the midst of the bombings, reflected on their steadfastness and determination to persevere, especially for the sake of their children. In the face of uncertainty and destruction, these individuals hope for peace and the safety of their families while clinging to their belief in the resilience of their community.